I see you high school seniors on Twitter counting down the days until graduation and I see you on Instagram posting all your acceptance letters. I feel you too because you are me one year ago. I was you. I get you. The fun of senior year has worn off already especially if you’ve already committed to a college. I totally get it. At this time last year I wanted graduation to be here already but one year later I can tell you to wait. I want to tell you to hold onto senior year for as long as you can. So if you’re feeling those senior year blues keep these things in mind.
1. Embrace seeing your best friends every single day.
Unless you happen to be going to the same school as your best friend (and I encourage you to make your path) you will not be seeing them as frequently as you do in high school. Soon you will have to go meet new people who do not know everything about you and it’s so weird.
2. Your homework is not that bad.
I very rarely had homework my senior year but when I did I thought it was the worst thing in the whole world. College brings on a whole new level of homework and most of it involves textbook reading that you’ve put off for the past four years. So enjoy the three page papers you have now.
3. It is too early to slide.
Senior slide is totally real. In fact if we’re honest with ourselves it started the day we signed up for senior year classes. Just because it exists does not mean it should take over. Colleges still care and trust me you’ll want to impress them with your grades to get scholarships. Keep pushing yourself, it sucks but it’s worth it when you’re in less debt.
4. Stay involved in high school.
Senior year includes so many lasts. Do not let those lasts slip away because “you’re too good” for high school stuff. You’re not, trust me. You’ll miss dorky high school things in college, I promise.
5. Let everyone hold your hand still.
Senior year is a year where you want freedom. If you’re not 18 yet you’re probably pretty close. But do not let that stop you from letting your parents and teachers help you. In college no one tells you want to do and you have to take initiative for yourself. Rely on people for as long as you can because adulting sucks.
6. Go visit your college friends.
Go see what a day in their life really looks like. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to see what you’re getting into.
7. Thank the important people in your life.
A lot of people have gotten you to your senior year. You may feel like you did this all alone but trust me you did not. Thank your teachers, parents, grandparents, friends and mentors who did the behind the scenes work. They’ll appreciate it (and maybe write you some great recommendation letters).
8. Apply for scholarships like there is no tomorrow. Or at least start saving money.
You may get none or you might get a ton but just try! College debt is scary and it only gets scarier when you’re in college with no job and trying to figure out how people get through this stage of life without living on the street. Watching your bank account drop and not grow is a really scary thing. You will want back up money.
9. Learn how to talk on the phone.
Not because you will be calling important people but that is how you will be communicating to your family back home as well as your friends on campus. I have probably talked on the phone in my first three months of college than I have in my entire life. So learn to get comfortable with.
10. Learn how keep your social media clean.
Now is the time to get your act together on social media. I am already talking about it in my education courses. It matters. Senior year and college can be fun but some pictures are not meant for the internet. Use the rule of thumb- if grandma shouldn’t see this, the rest of the internet shouldn’t either.
Seniors you still got a lot of time left so just embrace it! Have so much fun and know that college comes so fast and one day you will be wishing for your senior to slow down.
